jam Meaning & Definition
What Does Jam Mean?
Jam is used as a symbol meaning ISO 639-3 language code for Jamaican Creole. As a noun, it means A sweet mixture of fruit boiled with sugar and allowed to congeal. Often spread on bread or toast or used in jam tarts. As a verb, it means To get something stuck, often (though not necessarily) in a confined space.
Word Facts for Jam
| Part of speech | symbol, noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈd͡ʒæm// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | impede, muddle and crush |
| Antonyms | free and disengage |
| Plural | jams |
| Verb forms | jams, jamming, jammed |
Jam Definition (Symbol)
- ISO 639-3 language code for Jamaican Creole.
Jam as a Noun
- A sweet mixture of fruit boiled with sugar and allowed to congeal. Often spread on bread or toast or used in jam tarts
He is allergic to jam.
- A difficult situation.
The pitcher's in a jam now, having walked the bases loaded with the cleanup hitter coming to bat.
- A difficult situation for a pitcher or defending team.
The pitcher's in a jam now, having walked the bases loaded with the cleanup hitter coming to bat.
- A blockage, congestion, or immobilization.
a jam on the 101 South, blocking the two right lanes [radio report]
- An informal, impromptu performance or rehearsal.
- A song; a track.
pump up the jam
- An informal event where people brainstorm and collaborate on projects.
We came up with some new ideas at the game jam.
- That which one particularly prefers, desires, enjoys, or cares about.
Teaching is my jam.
- A forceful dunk.
- A play during which points can be scored.
Toughie scored four points in that jam.
- Any of several manoeuvres requiring wedging of an extremity into a tight space.
I used a whole series of fist and foot jams in that crack.
- The tree Acacia acuminata, with fruity-smelling hard timber.
- Luck.
He's got more jam than Waitrose.
- Balls, bollocks, courage, machismo.
I don't think he has the jam.
- Sexual relations or the contemplation of them.
- Something enjoyable; a delightful situation or outcome.
Jam as a Verb
- To get something stuck, often (though not necessarily) in a confined space.
My foot got jammed in a gap between the rocks.
- To brusquely force something into a space; to cram, to squeeze.
They temporarily stopped the gas tank leak by jamming a piece of taffy into the hole.
- To render something unable to move.
- To cause congestion or blockage. Often used with "up".
A single accident can jam the roads for hours.
- To block or confuse a radio or radar signal by transmitting a more-powerful signal on the same frequency.
The government jams foreign propaganda broadcasts.
- To turn (fruit) into jam.
- To add jam to; to cover with jam.
- To throw a pitch at or near the batter's hands.
Jones was jammed by the pitch.
- To dunk.
- To play music (especially improvisation as a group, or an informal unrehearsed session).
- To injure a finger or toe by sudden compression of the digit's tip.
When he tripped on the step he jammed his toe.
- To attempt to score points.
Toughie jammed four times in the second period.
- To bring (a vessel) so close to the wind that half her upper sails are laid aback.
- To give up on a date or some other joint endeavour; to stand up, chicken out, jam out.
- To be of high quality (especially for music).
I love this song! This song jams!
Noun
- A kind of frock for children.
Noun
- Alternative form of jamb.
Noun
- Blockage, congestion.
A traffic jam caused us to miss the game's first period.
- (by extension) A song; a track.
- (by extension) An informal event where people brainstorm and collaborate on projects.
Verb
- To get something stuck in a confined space.
Her poor little baby toe got jammed in the door.
- To brusquely force something into a space; cram, squeeze.
The rush-hour train was jammed with commuters.
- To block or confuse a broadcast signal.
- To give up on a date or some joint endeavour; stand up, chicken out, jam out.
Noun
- (interior decorating) Either of the vertical components that form the side of an opening in a wall, such as that of a door frame, window frame, or fireplace.
- Any thick mass of rock that prevents miners from following the lode or vein.
Synonyms of Jam
Antonyms of Jam
Jam in a Sentence
He is allergic to jam.
She loves eating jam for breakfast in hotels.
The pitcher's in a jam now, having walked the bases loaded with the cleanup hitter coming to bat.
a jam on the 101 South, blocking the two right lanes [radio report]
a jam of logs in a river
pump up the jam
We came up with some new ideas at the game jam.
Teaching is my jam.
Toughie scored four points in that jam.
I used a whole series of fist and foot jams in that crack.
He's got more jam than Waitrose.
I don't think he has the jam.
My foot got jammed in a gap between the rocks.
Her poor little baby toe got jammed in the door.
I jammed the top knuckle of my ring finger.
They temporarily stopped the gas tank leak by jamming a piece of taffy into the hole.
The rush-hour train was jammed with commuters.
A single accident can jam the roads for hours.
The government jams foreign propaganda broadcasts.
The airstrike suffered minimal casualties because electronic-warfare aircraft were jamming the enemy air-defense radars.
Jones was jammed by the pitch.
When he tripped on the step he jammed his toe.
Toughie jammed four times in the second period.
I love this song! This song jams!
A traffic jam caused us to miss the game's first period.
Word Forms & Grammar
jam (countable and uncountable, plural jams)
jam (third-person singular simple present jams, present participle jamming, simple past and past participle jammed)
jam (plural jams)
Words That Rhyme With Jam
Origin of Jam
Origin 1: First attested in the early 18th c. as a verb meaning “to press, be pressed, be wedged in”. Compare dialectal jammock (“to press, squeeze, crush into a soft mass, chew food"; also "a soft, pulpy substance”). Perhaps from Middle English chammen, champen ("to bite upon something, gnash the teeth"; whence modern champ, chomp), of uncertain origin; probably originally onomatopoeic.
Origin 2: The "performance" sense is first attested with regards to jazz in 1929, and its origin, though uncertain, is likely metaphorical, "something sweet made by the combination of many things", with influence from jamboree.
Origin 3: Borrowed from Persian جامه (“garment”) and/or Hindustani (Hindi जामा (jāmā) / Urdu جامہ (jāma)), meaning "garment, robe". Related to pajamas and pyjamas.
How to Pronounce Jam
Jam is pronounced //ˈd͡ʒæm// and has 1 syllable.
Quick Answers About Jam
Is jam a symbol or a noun?
Jam is mainly used as a symbol, but it can also be used as a noun and a verb.
What is another word for jam?
Words with a similar meaning to jam include impede, muddle and crush. See the full list of jam synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of jam?
The opposite of jam can be expressed with words like free and disengage.
What is the plural of jam?
The plural of jam is jams.
What is the past tense of jam?
The past tense of jam is jammed. The present participle is jamming.